Manufacture of tampons



ay 258, 946. c P. WINTER ET AL 2,401,284

MANUFAGTURE OF TAMPON S Filed Apr-11 2o, r1944 v s sh'eetssheet 1 Z- l I D if 7 /5 /7 2f y# l 9 f ,25 I f-q if( i i 6/ 7 l l 66 a;- 5 9; 792g i? /P VQ l e 6,1?

C 4] x f 0 O I El l 7; Z 4f A f5 i iwf' 'Zh Il y May 28, 1946,

C. P. WINTER ET AL MANUFAGTURE OF TAMPONS Filed Ap'ril 2o, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May m 19,46. C. P. WINTERET'N. 2,401,284

I MANUFACTURE 0F TAMPoNs Filed April 20, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet '5 m Jwmwf,

Patented May 28, 1946 MANUFACTURE OF TAMPONS Courtney P. Winter and Dunbar A. Rosenthal, Marguerite B. Winter executrx of said Courtney P. Winter, deceased, assignors to Sanitary Tampon Corporation, Chambersburg, Pa., a corporation of Pennsyl- Chambersburg, Pa.;

`Application April 20, 1 944, Serial No. 531,922

25 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of a tampon, and, more particularly, a tampon comprising a longitudinally-extending loop-supporting member, to which there is attached a plurality of adjacent turns of loop members, said loop members being positioned longitudinally of the loop-supporting member, said tampon being provided 'with a withdrawal member.

In one form of the invention, the tampon comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending helical turns of loops of absorbent material, each turn of loops of the absorbent material being helically spaced around the longitudinally-exj tending axial member With the apices of each loop member attached to ,or fastened to the axial member. Preferably the axial member is a central axial member, although it is Within the contemplationyof the present invention to have the loop members eccentric with respect to the axial member. In other words, it is only in the preferred form of the invention that it is necessary to have the axial member extend longitudinally and centrally of the tampon. Preferably, the longitudinally-extending member is a braided member, and the loops of each turn of absorbent ma.. terial are spaced about and radiating from the central axial member. p

In one form of the invention, the turns of loops are transversely spaced from one anotheriat and adjacent the exterior surface of the tampon to thereby provide a network of transversely-extending shallow poc'zllzets.A The tampon may also be' provided with loops which are longitudinally spaced from one another at and adjacent the exterior surface of the tampon to thereby provide a network of longitudinally-extending shallow pockets.

In one form of the invention, the loop members at and adjacent their exterior surfaces are pro-` vided with looped fibers Which are disposed in a relatively straight manner one with respect to' the other, each loop at and adjacent its interior surface being buckled to thereby provide a great volume of voids between individual fibers to increase the absorbent capacity of the loops and the tampon member, the latter being preferably provided with a withdrawal member. 'Ihe present invention, considered from the standpoint of the article, comprises a plurality of absorbent tampon members fastened together' to form a unitary tampon, the surface ofwhich is provided with a network of shallow pockets, which may be transverse pockets or longitudinal pockets, or both transverse and longitudinal pockets, said unitary tampon being provided with ber.

a withdrawal member. The invention is also directed to a tampon comprising a longitudinally-y extending holding member to which there 'is at.- tached a plurality of absorbent tampon members progressively extending in helical or spiral formation longitudinally of the holding member, said tampon being provided with a Withdrawal mem- It may be stated that while the tampon of the present invention is, in general, adapted for insertion into body cavities, it is particularly adapted for use as a vaginal tampon for the absorption and retention of menstrual discharges.

The body material of the tampon of the present invention may be composed of any absorbent cellulosic material, such as absorbent cotton, flax --itself but in the method of forming the tampon and the machine for producing the same.

The invention from a method standpoint comprises feeding a strand of absorbent material into a plurality of braid-forming converging threads,

the speed of formation of the braid being substantially less than the speed of feed of the absorbent material, and forming a pluralityv of turns of transversely-positioned loop members attached to the braid as said threads form a braid progressively extending longitudinally of said plurality of turns of loop members. Preferably, although not necessarily, it is desirable to discontinue the feed of the absorbent material after the formation of a predetermined number of turns of loop members while continuing the braiding step to provide a tampon with a withdrawal member. It is highly advantageous to have the longif tudinally-extending member to which the loops of absorbent material are attached integral with the withdrawal member, but it is recognized that the loop members may be continuously formed and thereafter cutinto tampons to which a withdrawal member may be attached in any suitable manner. Preferably, in carrying out the present invention, the fibers of the strand of absorbent material run approximately longitudinally of the strand.

While it is preferred vthat thetampon be produced under a slight vacuum, it may be stated that this merely represents the preferred form of the invention, the tampon being capable of vbe- I ing produced at ordinary atmospheric pressure or even under super-atmospheric pressure, al. though the latter is not usuallyrdesirable. When a vacuum is used it functions to remove any short fibers which may be present in the absorbent material, although dueto the longitudinal arrangement of the fibers the presence of short fibers is reduced to a u In one form of the invention the absorbent material, in the form of a collection of fibers or threads as 'a strand, is fed into a plurality of converging threads which form a braid aroundV a central braid-supporting member, and means.

drawn to a central axis and engage an absorbent member;

"f showing said loop members carried by the longi- Figure 5 is a perspective detail showing the' formation of the loop members of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a detail showing the braid formation of the respective bers, said fibers having engaged portions of a sliver to form loop members;

Figure 7 is a view of the tampon of the present invention in its substantially complete form,

tudinally extending axial member, said loop members being arranged in a spiral or helical formation; 4

Figure 8 is a plan view of the tampon shown in Figure 7; f

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of one of the loop members;

Figure 10 is an elevation partially in section of a compressed tampon in place in its applicator; and

Figure 11 is a detail of consta'nt motion displacement means for displacing the braid from said braid-supporting member, means for forming on the latter and from saidthreads a braid, the threads of which engage and form loop members from said absorbent material, and means for displacing a portion of the braid from the braid-supporting member, said means being preferably intermittent in character, although continuous means may be employed for displacing or ejecting the braid from the pin. For example, a helical spring may be arranged to revolve on the pin and continuously' displace or eject the braid therefrom. A vacuum chamber is preferably provided and means are also provided for maintaining' the vacuum while .permitting the tampon tobe removed from the vacuum chamber. Means are also provided for discontinuing the feeding of the absorbent material while the braid-forming means continues to operate.

The primary object of the present invention is to'provide a tampon characterized by an extraordinary ability t absorb uids when inserted in body cavities of humans and to retain the ab? to provide a tampon which has a braided longitudinally-extending member to which are at- -the braiding pin.

the well known horn gears used in braiding machines and are provided with horns which are engaged with the lower lugs of the respective bobbins. 'I'his arrangement forms no part of the present invention, and therefore it is not shown in detail.

The bobbin 'carriers A, B, c and D each carry' a yarn bobbin A2, Bz, Cz and D2, from which are tached or fastened loop members of absorbent material, the fibers of the -loop'member adjacent the looped end having become rearranged due to the looping action to provide a substantial -increase-in voids.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, which will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in cross section, of a machine for manufacturing a tampon in accordance with the present invention;A

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the air lock shown in Figure 1:-

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement o f the bobbin carriers whereby they travel a path functioning to prbduce a braid from;` the yarn bobbins which they carry:

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the" man- ,drawnthreads respectively herein designated A1, jB1, C1 and D1.

of said threads evenly and under suitable tension The bobbin carriers supply each to and around a braiding pin 1, the threads being drawn over the edge 8 of the stationary working tube 9. said tube passing through the upper and lowenbobbin carrier plates 2 and I, the lower end of the tube being in operative connection with a chamber I0, the latter being connected to an eX- haust fan' II by means of an exhaust conduit I2. The lower end of the chamber is provided with an air lock comprising the rollers I 3 and Il, one of which is a yieldable roller preferably made of rubber or the like. A sliver of absorbent cotton I5 with its bers running parallel to each other and of a suitable weight per yard is fed from the container I6 through a series of drawing-out and elongating rolls I1, I8, I 9 and 20, whereby the sliver is elongated to a form which faclitateslthe formation of loop members, as hereinafter set forth.` From the drawing-out-roll 20 the sliver," which is hereinafter used to designate an assemblage of fibers or yarns, is drawn by suction into the working tube I0, where it is drawn by a thread, as hereinafter pointed out, to and adjacent the peripheral surface of a pin member 1,

, which is herein termed a braid-supporting member. The sliver which is continuously drawn into the working tube 9 is caught at spaced interner in which the respective braiding threads are a, means for moving and maintaining the .bight .compact formation will be formed.

of the loops being formed outwardly and/or downwardly from the braid being formed. It has been found that in the absence of the vacuum or equivalent means, certain of the loops will be caught-by successive yarns or threads and carried into the core or braid so that an irregularl Means are provided to strip the braid '22 with its loop members from the pin 'l, said loop'members being identified by the letter L, specific loops bearing specific identifying characters. In order to strip the braid from the braid-supporting member 1, the latter is provided with stripping means which may comprise a reciprocating sleeve 23 operatively connected at 2d to the bell crank 25 actuated by the cam 26. The carriers A, B,

C and D are respectively provided with posts A3,

B3, C and D3, which at their extremitiesterminate in threaded eyes A4, B4, C4 and D4.

In initiating operation ofthe machine, the respective free ends of the yarns or threads Ai, Bi, Ci and Di are knotted together by hand, and a suicient length of each thread drawn on of the respective yarn bobbins A2, Bz, C2 and D2, and the knotted threads are pulled through the working tube 9 preferably by hand and between the rollers I3 and I4. The braiding 'apparatusy has not at this point been started, and the respective threads are therefore unbraided and positioned within the tube 9 and the chamber Ill in longitudinally extending substantially parallel relationship. Thereafter, the braiding machine is started and the respective threads A1, B1, Ci and Di are drawn under tension over the edge 8 of the working tube 9 and around the pin l, and the braid, as-shown in detail in Figure 6, is formed on the pin 1, the latter being of a suitable length and extending intothe working tube for a distance which will permit the formation of a relatively short section of braid, the length of this braid section being usually about one inch. However, the latter is set forth by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and may, therefore, be varied in accordance with the circumstances. As the machine startsto braid, the .15

pin sleeve 23 begins to reciprocate, and when a small amount of braid builds up at and adjacent the end 'la of the pin 'l the sleeve 23 contacts and ejects from the pin all braid formed over a predetermined amount, that is, a predetermined 50 amount is also left on the pin. i

When a predetermined length of braid is formed suicient to act as the withdrawal member of the finished tampon, then the roller asfed into the working tube is'preferably in its less expanded state, about 3/3 0f an inch in diameter,

' it being pointed out that as the sliver emerges "5 from the last roller assembly 20 the sliver expands to a substantially round, or almostround, state. Here again, the dimensions set forth are by way of illustration and not by Way of limitation, and may be materially departed from. The sliver 2l, preferably of absorbent cotton or similar cellulosic material having absorbent' properties pf the character possessed by absorbent cotton,is fed through the rolls at a speed which will supply about 2 inches of sliver for each thread that passes a given point on the upper peripheral edge -8 of the working tube 9.` The sliver 2| is caught at loop-forming intervals by-threads Ai, B1, C1 and Di to form, inthe order. named, loop 6 members 28, 29 and 30 and potential loop member 3|, as shown in Figure 5. .The sliver 2| is fed to the pin member 'l at a speed greater than that at which the braid 22 is formed, thereby producing loop members as shown in Figure and as more or less diagrammatically set forth in Figure 6. The braid may be formed at the rate of 300 feet per hour, and the cotton sliverfed in during the period is actually forming loops at therate of about 10 times thespeed of formation of the l5 braid.

It is to be noted that the loop-forming members and the potential loop member are held in posi- `tion by the successive threads Ai, Bi, Ci and Di as the braidis formed. It is further to be noted that, although the loops are all formed on the same side of the pin l, as shown in Figure 6, namely, at the portion indicated :by the numeral 32 in Figure 5, the loops space themselves in a spiral or helical path around the axially braided 25v core member, as shown in, Figures 5 and 7 respectively.

While it is not desired to be limited to .any specific explanation of what induces the spiral or helical .formation or what may be termed a rotary displacement, it is desired to state that the rotary displacement is due to the lateral crowding of the apices of successive loops and/or to the twist of the thread members constituting the axial braided core. In this connection, it may be stated that the braid may comprise three or more members and may be'produced in such a manner that the'threads of the braid and the braid itself are givena twist Aduring themanu- I facture of the braid. The twist present in the 40 braid therefore tends to space the loop members in spiral or helical pattern around the longitudinally-extending braided member. However, it is recognized that the braid may be formed without giving it any substantial twist, and that when such a braid is used in carrying out the present invention, the turns of loops may be disposed in a pattern departing from the helical pattern, and in some cases the turns of neighboring adjacent loops may be substantially transversely parallel; As shown in Figure '7, the respective loops L ofone turn V touch the respective loops L'of a neighboring and adjacent turn Vi at andadjacent the central axial member of the tampon, but as the circumferential portion of each turn is approached there is formed between successive turns, as -between turn V and turn V1, a shallow transversely-extending pocket or valley P.

As will .be noted from Figures 7 and 8, in addition to the transversely-extending shallow pockets, the tampon ofthe present invention is vpreferably provided with longitudinally-extending shallow pockets M which are formed between adjacent spirally-extending loop members L. The loop members of each turn, as, for example, the turn V, touch each other at and adjacent the longitudinally-extending axial member, but are slightly spaced from each other at and adjacent the outer extremity of each loop. It is to be noted that the loop members L as they are arranged along the turns of the spiral or helix, partially overlap each other, the extent of the-overlapping being governed by the number of loops in each turn of the spiral ory helix. Usingfour threads, each turn usually-contains four loops. However, the braiding may be accomplished with shapes of the loops will be determined to some extent by the amount of twist in the braid.

In the preferred form of the invention, thev loop members of the tampon are substantially helically arranged longitudinally ofthe tampon.

' To carry out the spirit of the invention it is not necessary that' there be a complete spiral or helisubstantially at right angles to the longitudinallyextending loop-carrying member.

It is desired to point out that the helical ridge formed by the successive loops acts in a manner similar to the threads of a screw, exerting more concentrated pressure against the walls of the vagina and damming off the menstrual ow in a very effective manner, the longitudinally-extending and/or transversely-extending valleys or pockets between the ridges acting as a reservoir and/or additional absorbing surfaces which have greater entraining and absorbing capacity than the smooth-surfaced tampons of the prior art.

In this connection, it is desired to point out that there has been provided a tampon the surface of which is irregular, rough, or characterized by the presence of valleys or pockets, all in contradistinction to the smooth-surfaced tampons of the prior art.

The cycle as above set forth, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is continued until there is formed a tampon o f suitable length, as shown in Figure '7, said length being desirably about 5 inches. However, this is set forth by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

produced therefrom is free of short fibers or ilbers which are loosely attached to and'adjacent the active absorbent surface of the tampon, thereby substantially inhibiting the possibility of the tampon shredding short fibers during the period it is within the vagina. This prevents the short bers from being left in the vagina and causing discomfort after the withdrawal of the tampon.

The tampon as shown in Figures 7 and 8 may be compressed to a suitable size and shape, as. for example, to a compressed cylinder 31 adapted for insertion in an applicator tube 38 provided with an ejector 39. When the applicator is inserted in the vagina and the tampon ejected therefrom, the latter, upon contact with the vaginal or menstrual uids, assumes approximately a spiral or helical formation, as shown in Figure 7, presenting a larger surface area, due to the looped structure of the tampon, than is presented by the tampons of the prior art having approximately the same weight of cotton per unit volume.

It is to be noted that the fibers of the sliver 2| run approximately longitudinally of the sliver, and therefore, as the loops are formed, the iibers F assume the contour shown in Figure 9. The fl bers extending from adjacent the inner end 32a of the loop 32 assume the contour shown in Figure 9, it being noted that the outside fibers are under relatively slight tension, and are more or less concentrically arranged with respect to the center of the curved part of the loop. The inside iibers are relatively wrinkled and distorted, being under' relatively slight compression stresses, the bers atand adjacent the inner surface of the loop member being buckled or distorted, thereby providing a greater surface of contact for the vaginal or menstrual uids. Further, this distortion or buckling provides a greater volume of voids or interstices between the individual bers, which immeasurably increases the After the tampon is formed, feeding of the sliver 2| is discontinued for a short period of time while the Ibraiding on the pin- 1 is continued. The

cotton sliver 2| extending from the roher assembly 20 to and adjacent the pin 1 is rather fragile, and as the already-formed tampon T is fed downwardly through the working tube 8 the cotton sliver breaks. Braiding is then continued in order to form the withdrawal member T1, which may be any desirable length, as, for example, about 4 inches. This is set forth by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. After a braided withdrawal member of suitable length is formed, the roller assemblies |1 to 20 are started and the cotton sliver is again fed through the rolls and drawn from the last roller assembly 20 to the threads A1 to D1 inclusive, and the cycle is continuously repeated to fom another tampon T. The braided axial core member I, which is identified as an entity by the numeral 22, together with tampons T, spaced at intervals along the-braided axial core, continuously pass through the rolls I3 and I4 and then preferably through absorbent capacity of the loops and the tampon of which they are constituent elements. It is therefore clear that, in accordance with the present invention, the parallel bers of the original cotton sliver have been caused to become 'rearranged to present an absorbent unit having a greater number of voids per unit volume than is present in any of the prior art tampons. and in this connection, it may be pointed out that the tampons of the prior art are sheared or otherwise out across parallel fibers, and this necessarily results in the production of an amount of extremely short fibers which aro not bound in any manner to the' central mass o! the tampon, and therefore are free to and do become detached from the tampon. In accordance with the present invention, the fibers are notL severed transversely and therefore substantially no short fibers are produced during the manufacture of the tampon, and, moreover. as previously pointed out, the manufacture of the tampon under suction .causes the removal of any short bers that may have been present in the original sliver.

The tampon of the present invention comprises a multiplicity of loops of. absorbent mate-4 rial attached to an axial core. said loops providing an outside vaginal contacting surface of looped fibers rather than ber ends, whereby the tampon has greater cleaning properties than the' prior art tampons, the outside surfaces of which are constituted by loose fiber ends.

Instead of using intermittent displacement means for displacing the braid from the pin l, a

constant motion displacement means may be used as shown in Figure 11, there being rotatively mounted on the pin a worm gear 4I in mesh with the worm 42, said worm gear 4I rotating on the stationary pin. Fastened to the worm gear is a 5 helical cam 43 which rotates on thepin. As the braid is formed the helical cam will depress the converging threads to the end of the cam causing the braid to be formed below the cam and ejecting all braid as formed over a predetermined amount. Said amount being the length of the -braid reaching from the end of the cam 43 to the end of the pin 1.

What is claimed is:

l. A tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending turns of loop members of a material highly absorbent of any fluids present in said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, each sorbent of any fluids present in said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, each turn of loops being helically spaced around the longitudinally-extending central axial member with the apex of each loop fastened to the axial member, said tampon being provided with a withdrawal member.

3. A tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a plurality of longitudinallyex.

tending helical turns of loops of a material highly absorbent of any fluids present in said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, each turn of loops being helically spaced around a longitudinally-extending braided central member composed of. a plurality of threads which fasten each of the loops at their apices to said axial member, said tampon being provided with a withdrawal member.

V4. A tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending turns of loops of a material highly absorbent of any fluids present in said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, each loop of each turn being spaced about and radiating from a longitudinally-extending braided central member composed of a plurality of threads `which fasten each of said loops at their apices to said axial member, said tampon being provided with a withdrawal member.` l

5. A tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending helical turns of loops of a material highly absorbent of any fluids present inv said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, each turn of loops being helically spaced around the longitudinally-extending central axial` member with the apices of each loop fastened to the axial spaced from one another at and adjacent the exterior surface of the tampon to provide transversely-extending shallow pockets, said tampon being provided with a Withdrawal member.

6. A tampon for insertion into a body cavity the 75 walls of which have relatively delicate tissues` comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending helical turns of loops of a material'highly absorbent of any fluids 'present in said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, each turn of loops being helically spaced around the longitudinally-extending central axial member with the apices of each loop fastened to the axial member, the loops of each turn of loops overlapping one another and being longitudinally spaced` from each other at and adjacent the exterior surface of the tampon to. provide longitudinally-extending shallow pockets, said tampon being provided with a withdrawal member.

7. Atampon for insertion into a body cavity the ,walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending helical turns of loops ofa material highly` absorbent of any fluids present in said cavity and exerting no cutting action o n said tissues, each turn of loops being helically spaced around the `longitudinally-extending central axial member with the apices of each loop fastened to the axial member, the loops of each turn of loops overlap- 5 ping one another and being longitudinally spaced from each other at and adjacent the exterior surface of the tampon to provide longitudinallyextending shallow pockets, said turns of loops being transversely spaced from each other at and adjacent the exterior surface of the tampon to provide transversely-extending shallow pockets,

said tampon being provided with .a withdrawal member.

8. A tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a plurality 'of longitudinally-extending turns of loop members of a material highly absorbent of any fluids present in said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, each loop of each turn being spaced aboutand radiating from a longitudinally-extending central axial member to which said loops are attached, said loops at and adjacent their exterior surfaces being provided with looped fibers which are disposed in a relatively straight manner one with respect to the other, each loop at and adjacent its interior surface being buckled to thereby pro'- vide a great volume of voids between individual fibers to increase the absorbent capacity of the` loops and the tampon member, the latter being provided with a withdrawal member.

9., A tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a longitudinally-extending loop-supporting member to which there is attached a Plurality of adjacent turns of loop `members positioned longitudinally of the loop-supporting member, said loop members being composed of a material highly absorbent of any fluids present 60. in said cavity and exerting no cutting action on said tissues, said tampon being provided with a withdrawal member.

10. A compacted tampon. for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a longitudinally-extending braided loop-supporting member to which there is attached a plurality of adjacent turns of loop members positioned longitudinally of the loop-supporting member, said loop members bemember, the turns of loops being transversely pon-for insertion into' a body cavity the walls of v which have relatively delicate tissues by drawing under a partial vacuum a strand of absorbent material into a plurality of braid-forming converging threads, forming a braid from said threads, the speed of formation of the braid being substantially less than the speed of feed of the absorbent material-and forming a plurality of turns of transversely-positioned loop members attached to the braid as said threads form a braid extending longitudinally of said plurality of turns of loop members.

12. The method comprising producing a tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues by drawing under a partial vacuum a strand of absorbent material into a plurality of braid-forming converging threads, forming a. braid from said threads, the speed of formation of the braid being substantially less than the speed of feed of the absorbent material and forming a plurality ofturns of transversely-positioned loop members attached to the braid as said threads form abraid extending longitudinally of said plurality of turns of loop members, and discontinuing the feeding of the absorbent material after the formation of a predetermined number of turns of loop members while continuing the braiding step to thereby provide a. tampon with a withdrawal member.

13. Themethod comprising producing a tarnpon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues by feeding a strand of absorbent material into a plurality of converging threads, forming a braid from said threads and around a central braidsupporting member, the speed of formation of the braid being substantially less than the speed of feed of the absorbent material, moving and maintaining the excess absorbent material outwardly from the braid to form a plurality of turns of i transversely-positioned loop members attached to the braid as said threads form a braid extending longitudinally of said plurality of turns of loop members, and displacing a portion only of the soformed braid from the braid-supporting member,

14. The method comprising producing a ta, pon for insertion into a body cavity the walls-1 which have relatively delicate tissues by feeding a strand of absorbent material into a pluralitlr of converging threads, forming a braid from said threads and around a central braid-supporting member, the speed of formation of the braid being substantially less than the speed of feed of the absorbent material, moving and maintaining the excess absorbent material outwardly from the braid to form a plurality of turns of transverselypositioned loop members attached to the braid as said threads form a braid extending longitudinally of said plurality of turns of loop members; displacing a portion of the so-formed braid from the braid-supporting member, and discontinuing the feeding of the absorbent material after the -formation of a predetermined number of turns of loop members while continuing the braiding step to thereby provide a tampon with a withdrawal member.

15. The method comprising producing a tampon for 4insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues by drawing under a partial vacuum a strand of absorbentl materialthe fibers of which runapproximately the absorbent material, forming a plurality of turns of transversely-positioned loop members attached to the braid as said threads form a braid vextending longitudinally of said plurality of turns of loop members, displacing a portion of the soformed braid from the braid-supporting member, and discontinuing the drawing of the absorbent material into said converging threads after the formation of a predetermined number of turns of loop members while continuing the braiding step to thereby provide a tampon with a withdrawal member.

16. In a machine for producing tampons, comprising a plurality of loop members composed of an absorbent material and attached to a braided loop-supporting member, a vacuum chamber, a braid-supporting member projecting into said vacuum chamber, means for feeding a strand of absorbent material into said vacuum chamber and into a plurality of braid-forming threads converging towards and around said braid-supporting member; means for forming on the latter f porting member, means for forming on the latter longitudinally ofthe strand into a. plurality. of

converging threads forming a braid from said threads and around a central braid-supporting member, the speed of formation of the braid beingsubctantiallylel's thanthespeed of feed o! 1I ingprovidedwitha and from said threads a braid the threads of which engage and form loop members from said absorbent material, means for displacing a p0rtion of the braid from the braid-supporting member, and means for discontinuing the feeding of the absorbent material while the braid-forming means continues to operate.

' feeding of the absorbent material to the vacuum chamber while the braid-forming means continues to operate, means for displacing a portion of the braid from the braid-supporting member, and means for maintaining said vacuum while j permitting the so-pr'oduced tampon to`be removed from said chamber.

19. A compressed compact tampon for insertion into a body cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a longitudinally-extending holding member to which there is attached a plurality of tampon members pro- -gressively extending in helical formation longitudinally of the holding member, said tampon being composed of a material highly absorbent of any fluids present in said body cavity, and preventing irritaticn of said tissues, said tampon bewithdrawal member.

20. A tampon for insertion into a bmw cavity the walls of which have relatively delicate tissues comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending turns of loop members composed of a materialwhich prevents irritation of said tissues, each loop of each turn being spaced about and radiatmember from a plurality of strands of yarn, feed- V ing between said'strands a surplus of absorbent material in the form of a, relatively softer strand,

ing from a longitudinally-extending central axial y yarn member to which said loops are attached, said tampon being provided with a withdrawal yarn member.

21. A tampon for insertion into a body cavitythe walls of which have relatively delicate tissues.`

comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending helical turns of loops composed of absorbent material preventing irritation oi', said tissues,v each turn of loops being helically spaced around a longitudinally-extending central axial yarn memand drawing by means of a vacuum said absorbent material outwardly from said longitudinal member so as to form outwardly extending loops held only at points adjacent the longitudinal member by the strands of yarn of said longituber, with the apex of each loop fastened to the l axial member, said tampon being provided with a yarn withdrawal member.

22. Thel method of manufacturing a tampon comprising forming a longitudinally extending member from a plurality of strands of yarn, feeding between said strands a surplus of absorbent material in the form-of a relatively softer strand, and moving and maintaining portions of said ab sorbent material outwardly from said longitudinal member so as to form outwardly extending loops held only at points adjacent the longitu- I dinal member by the strands of yarn of said'longitudinal member.l v

23. The method of manufacturing a tampon comprising forming a longitudinally extending dinal member.

24. In a machine for manufacturing tampons, means for feeding a plurality of strands of yarn,

means for forming.- from said strands a'coherent between said first strands at a speed substantially in excess of cord formation, and means for displacing said material outwardly from said cord so as to formv outwardly extending loops of absorbent material, said last mentioned means including means to apply suction to said absorbent material.

' COURTNEY P. WINTER.

DU'NBAR A. ROSENTHAL. 

